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Special Edition


Dear Community, 
 
This is an unprecedented and challenging time. Much of our nation, state, and community have shut down to help stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. We have seen news reports highlighting some of the best of humanity. From the nurses and doctors working around the clock to help treat people with the virus, to the grocery store, restaurant, and delivery workers who are helping to keep people fed, to the many volunteers who have given of their time to help ensure the elderly and other vulnerable populations have the supplies and support they need to survive the shelter-in-place order. Their stories give us hope that we will emerge from this crisis stronger than before, as long as we come together as a community and in service to others.
 
Unfortunately, we have also heard stories of racism, hatred, and bias emerging from this crisis. Not only in the broader community, but on college campuses, and even closer to home here in California and in the SLO community. The response to the coronavirus has unleashed an unfortunate wave of anti-Asian and anti-Asian American racism and prejudice that is all-too-familiar. The emergence and spread of this virus is not the fault of a group of people, their culture, or their eating practices, as some have suggested, and should not be called anything to suggest it is related to, or emerged from a particular place or racial group. Bias, prejudice, racism, and other acts of hate that emerge from the coronavirus pandemic are unacceptable. If you witness something, or someone says or does something to you that you believe to be a bias incident, please consider making a report to the Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT).
 
This special edition of the OUDI Monthly Newsletter contains resources, materials, and tips to help the Cal Poly community through a new paradigm. It includes articles and other resources for addressing bias in the classroom and in online learning environments, tips on how to address pandemic-related anxiety, and videos and webinar learning opportunities to help guide the transition from in-person to online learning. I hope these resources are helpful for you and that you share this newsletter with your colleagues and friends. If you have any additional resources or tips that you’d like to share, please send them to us diversity@calpoly.edu.
 
These times will show us who we really are, and I know this community is strong, open, accepting, and loving. Please take care of yourselves and loved ones, and know that we are always here for you.
 
Jozi De Leon
Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer
 
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As always, please encourage your friends and colleagues to subscribe to the OUDI Monthly Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/oudinewsletter
A message from Vice President Jozi De Leon on Racism and Coronavirus.

Table of Contents

Online Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources – Campus Resources

Cal Poly Coronavirus (COVID-19) Website

 

Visit the Cal Poly Coronavirus Resource page for up-to-date information around campus and community information, resources, and tips for contending with the coronavirus pandemic.

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Watch the OUDI website for more and updated resources related to diversity, equity, and inclusion and the coronavirus.

CTLT Offers Resources on Instructional Continuity

 

CTLT has developed a comprehensive webpage to help instructors move their teaching online.

Check the CTLT Diversity and Inclusion page for more information and resources on equity and inclusion in virtual instruction coming soon. 

Among their resources include best practices for students with disabilities, and a new support network for faculty.

Bias Incident Response Team


If you observe or are the target of a bias incident either on campus or during an online course, please consider making a report to the Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT). 

The Bias Incident Response Team is housed in the Dean of Students Office. The team works to support and provide resources to those who report and/or witness acts of bias in our campus community.

Visit their website for more information on the BIRT, what constitutes a bias incident, and what the team does, or to make a report.

Online Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources – Teaching & Learning

SPLC's Teaching Tolerance Article on Addressing Coronavirus Racism


The Southern Poverty Law Center's Teaching Tolerance project has published an article on addressing coronavirus-related racism in the classroom. This article provides a context around the racist messages students are hearing in the media, the historical context of anti-Chinese, and anti-Asian racism related to disease, and tips on how to interrupt racism in learning environments. 

Teaching Tolerance Article on Responding to Coronavirus Racism


Teaching Tolerance published a helpful article aimed at providing educators with tools on responding to coronavirus-related racism in the classroom. The article includes a four-step response to racist and biased commentary:
  1. Interrupt: Stop the conversation and address the racist or biased comment.
  2. Question: Ask curious questions to get to the root of a person's racist or biased comment.
  3. Educate: Provide facts that underscore why a racist or biased comment requires rethinking.
  4. Echo: Echo others when they stand up against bias and racism. 

Combatting Anti-Asian Sentiment in the Classroom


In this Hechinger Report article, Tony DelaRosa outlines five ways of addressing anti-Asian sentiments in the classroom and offers tips on infusing history into teaching, as well as normalizing positive narratives around Asians and Asian Americans in the curriculum.

You can read more of the Hechinger Report's special coverage on conronavirus here.

The Asian American Racial Justice Toolkit


Developed by a coalition of 15 organizations, this comprehensive toolkit provides resources and activities aimed at addressing racial, social, and economic justice for Asian and other racial groups. The toolkit is available here by filling out a Google Form. 

The COVID0-19 DEI Crisis Action Strategy Guide: Recommendations to Drive Inclusive Excellence


Dr. Damon Williams has developed an in-depth guide to drive conversations, policy thinking, and practice around responding to the coronavirus pandemic. You can download the guide here.

Additional Links and Resources for Addressing Coronavirus-Related Bias and Racism

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources – Managing Stress & Anxiety

Managing Pandemic Anxiety


During times of uncertainty, it is important to take care not only of our physical but also our psychological health and well being. Here are a few articles with helpful tips for managing anxiety related to Coronavirus.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources – Webinar Learning Opportunities

AAC&U Webinar on Equity & Inclusion in Online Instruction


The AAC&U is offering a free webinar on Friday, March 27 at 1PM Eastern, 10AM Pacific. 

Webinar description: As the undergraduate experience goes virtual in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, how can colleges and universities ensure that the rapid scaling of online learning to unprecedented levels doesn’t come at the expense of their commitment to quality, equity, and inclusion? This webinar will address a wide range of student success issues and opportunities now confronting faculty, staff, and administrators across the higher education landscape. Presenters will offer practical advice and effective pedagogical strategies for creating and sustaining high-quality, equitable, and inclusive learning environments online.

You will need an AAC&U username and password; if you don't already have one, you can create one here and affiliate yourself with Cal Poly. Register online here.

(Thank you to Jane Lehr for the tip!)

A Townhall on Anti-Asian Racism: Race, Struggle & Solidarity in the Time of a Global Pandemic

Saturday, March 28, 3-5PM  
 
The People's Collective for Justice and Liberation presents a webinar to raise awareness of anti-Asian racism during the coronavirus pandemic. Leaders from university and non-profit organizations will host a conversation on Saturday, March 28 from 3-5PM Pacific. You can register online here. 

(Thank you to Sarah Macdonald for the tip!)

The National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education Webinar on Coronavirus and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion


The National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education recently hosted a webinar on diversity, equity, and inclusion issues raised by the coronavirus pandemic. NADOHE has made the Zoom recording of the webinar available online, and you can access it here. Be sure to check out the side panel discussion in which many resources and ideas are shared by participants.

 

Watch Dr. Ellen Wu's Distinguished Speaker Series Presentation How Asians Became America's "Model Minority" + Why That Matters


During the recent CPX Distinguished Speaker Series, Dr. Ellen Wu of Indiana University gave a presentation on Asian Americans in higher education. You can watch her video here, and view all the videos from the Distinguished Speaker Series here.
Have questions, comments, or feedback about the OUDI Monthly Newsletter?

Contact Ryan Adserias radseria@calpoly.edu or call 805-756-1639
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